Words that Edify

I find memories to be very curious stockpiles of retained experiences. You will have great memories with your children in which you can recall every detail and treasure the moment. But they will have their own memories and things that were of great significance to them. They may not even remember what you remember!

Or they will say "Yeah, that was nice, but one of my favorite memories was when Mom let me have six tries at the 'claw machine' in the grocery store to grab the stuffed Benny the Bull."

My oldest son Luke actually told this to me. I thought, I did? When did I ever do that? Those things are such a waste of money!

But that is why it was such a memorable event to him, because I made a big exception, just for the fun of it (they always seem to remember the one exception you made or the time you did something "off the wall").

When we consider the innumerable memories sifting through their brains, it is impossible to underestimate the impact that our parenting has upon them. I am not referring to grand vacations or lavish gifts, as wonderful as they may be. Rather I am speaking of the simple acts of daily communication in word or deed that comprise their significant memories of you.

I receive powerful encouragement to work on my speech patterns from Ephesians 4:39, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

We edify our children when we choose our words wisely, conveying an attitude of love and understanding. Edifying words are spoken to strengthen a person in the Lord, to motivate them to persevere, and to encourage them to become more like Christ.

We do not use words that belittle or tear down. We are not to use sarcastic words or blast our children with angry words. We are not to use profane language or take the Lord's name in vain. When we stumble in any of these areas, we need to confess it to the Lord and ask our children for forgiveness.

As your children grow older, what words will they remember you for? And it is not just your words; it is your tone. What tone will your children remember you for? Let's consider that as we communicate with our children today, and let's choose our words and tone wisely!

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14.

(excerpt from Entrusted with a Child’s Heart, chapter 12)

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What are some of the sayings you remember your parents saying over and over again when you were young? Do you still live by those words and repeat them to your own children?